Nucleation and Growth of Membrane Protein Crystals

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Understanding nucleation and growth of membrane protein crystals in detergent and lipid systems is key to optimising protein crystal quality and hence the resolution of structures obtained in X-ray crystallography measurements. This project will examine the early stages of crystal nucleation and growth near the protein solubility line to establish the relationship between protein solubility (within a specific detergent or in-meso system) and formation and growth of protein crystals. Early experiments will establish robust protocols for capturing early crystal growth (using a combination of optical microscopy and SAXS/WAXS (at UHH)). Using some model membrane proteins (e.g. OmpG, OmpX), and phase diagrams determined during previous work by the group, nucleation and growth rates in different detergent/lipid systems will be determined. Working with collaborators at the University of Surrey, we will model these nucleation and growth events to rationalise them in relation to the protein phase diagram and specific detergent/lipid systems.